Last year The Wandering Hearts released their debut album, Wild Silence, to critical acclaim, with Sunday Times Culture writing of the foursome, “Harmonies that hark back to Fleetwood Mac.” To start off what will doubtless prove to be a hectic year for the band, they are releasing a deluxe version of the album on 25th January. Imogen reviews the album ahead of its release…
2018 was a fruitful year for The Wandering Hearts , who recently announced that they will play the C2C Spotlight stage performance on Sunday 10th March, along with the release of the deluxe version of Wild Silence, out on 25th January 2018 and a nomination for ‘Artist of the Year’ at the UK Americana Awards on 31st January. Their UK headline tour included a sell-out show at Islington Assembly Hall that was a hot contender for one of the best shows of 2018, setting the levels of excitement to fever pitch for the release of this deluxe edition of Wild Silence.
This deluxe album includes three brand new tracks – ‘Til The Day I Die,’ ‘Run’ and ‘Heart Stops Beating’ – along with acoustic versions of the original album tracks ‘Wild Silence and ‘Fire and Water,’ plus live versions of ‘Burning Bridges’ and ‘The Wonder of You’ from the band’s show in Memphis earlier this year. Itis a surprisingly fresh original record in its own right, with the new tracks proving the band’s ability to constantly produce novel and exciting material – yet merging seamlessly with the original record. What is particularly impressive, though, is their ability here to totally reinvent their own previously released singles.
Wild Silence was one of the best records of last year, a demonstration in the true potential of UK country and Americana to provide a breath of fresh air to the genre rather than filling the mould of their American counterparts. The album retained all the elements of the genre, harking back to the 1970s era of country music, whilst managing to stay firmly rooted both in the UK and modern world.
When ‘Til The Day I Die’ was released in November, it spelled a new era for the band, showing they were more than just a 12-hit wonder… The track, deservedly, featured on the BBC Radio 2 playlist. It’s a catchy single, without falling into easy trappings of over-production, which so many commercially successful songs are so apt to do. Indeed, the band’s authenticity is the thread tying the whole deluxe album together. Here, bass keyboard is carefully balanced with their light and fresh harmonies, in a poignant track that exhibits just how talented the band is, both individually and as a group.
Their single ‘Run’ was performed in their Islington Assembly Hall set and is sure to be a fast-favourite among fans. It is one of those songs that merits multiple plays to appreciate its luxurious depth and complexity. The lyrics are gloriously relatable and the pause about three-quarters of the way, is a beautiful moment live for the band to provide a moment for the audience.
Just when you thought their harmonies couldn’t get tighter or more impressive, they go and produce a track like ‘Heart Stops Beating’ – their final original release on the deluxe record – splitting at one moment with the girls singing the main part, allowing the boys’ harmonies to ebb and flow over the top, providing an organically beautiful current of vocal harmonies.
Next up on the deluxe version of the album are the two acoustic reimaginings of tracks from the original version. First ‘Wild Silence’ itself gets its turn in the spotlight in a drastically stripped back cut, making it nearly unrecognisable from the original. This reinvention of the song would be impressive for another artist doing a cover of the single, but for an artist to reinvent their own material in this way is staggering. Accompanied just by a piano, the track is pure melodic beauty, and provides another facet to the multi-talented diamond that is The Wandering Hearts. Following hot on its’ heels is AJ’s near-acapella introduction to ‘Fire and Water’ that makes you sit up yet again and pay attention. While not quite as dramatic an overhaul as was given to ‘Wild Silence,’ still this acoustic reimagining of the track provides a fresh, almost melancholic feel to their original version, particularly for the last minute of the track when the guitar picks up and the AJ’s yodel-like vocals soar.
Two live tracks round out the deluxe record, their own ‘Burning Bridges’ and a cover of Elvis’ The Wonder of You. You’d almost be forgiven for thinking this last was their own material, fitting seamlessly in the album, almost… we’re not quite letting you get away with forgetting that’s an Elvis song. Nevertheless, as in their live performance, this recording is still magical, full of nostalgia and all the poignancy of the 1950s in a totally modern, original take.
Somehow the band have managed to release a deluxe edition of an album that is more exciting than most full-length stand-alone albums. An exhibition in stellar musicianship – both in their harmonies, thoughtful choice of album ordering, reinvention of their own material and original tracks – the album proves just how original the band are, leading their own path in the UK country and Americana scene and why they are so deserving of their recent successes.
About The Wandering Hearts
The Wandering Hearts recently returned from Americanafest in Nashville, where they led the UK charge of talent, playing multiple shows at this year’s celebration of the best of Americana and roots music. Over summer, the band performed at a string of UK festivals, including BST Hyde Park headlined by Eric Clapton, Latitude, Black Deer and Standon Calling.
In June, The Wandering Hearts became the first UK band ever to debut at Nashville’s iconic venues, the Ryman Auditorium and Grand Ole Opry, in the same week. They received a standing ovation for their performance at Marty Stuart’s infamous Late Night Jam at the Ryman where they shared the stage with Marty Stuart And His Fabulous Superlatives, Margo Price, John Prine and Chris Stapleton, as well as country-rock legends Chris Hillman and Roger McGuinn of The Byrds.
After a brilliant Opry debut, The Wandering Hearts were invited back to the iconic venue to perform for a second time a week later. In addition, the band added slots at CMAFest, The Basement and The Bluebird Café to their whirlwind tour, earning a rapturous welcome at each show. The band travelled to the US after receiving a personal invitation from legend Marty Stuart to join him on the Nashville and Memphis dates of his tour after they supported him in the UK.
The Wandering Hearts were discovered in the UK within half an hour of uploading their first demo online, and shortly after were signed to Decca Records. Over the past 18 months, The Wandering Hearts have built a loyal fan base with their signature sound that transcends genres: this is what makes them so special. With their seamless vocal harmonies, The Wandering Hearts are reminiscent of First Aid Kit and Of Monsters and Men, whilst channelling Fleetwood Mac’s pop sensibility and the storytelling of Chris Stapleton, all the while keeping their British roots at heart.
In February, the band released their debut album Wild Silence and picked up the coveted Bob Harris Emerging Artist award at the UK Americana Awards 2018, a prize hand-picked by the legendary broadcaster himself. Bob Harris stated, “I was just blown away by them, by their harmonies, their energy, their enthusiasm and of course the fantastic quality of their music. I am truly thrilled for them and their new album is everything I hoped it would be.”
